dreams – Success Strategies

Develop Your Brand: A Blueprint For New Authors

Your personal brand is a promise to your clients… a promise of quality, consistency, competency, and reliability.
Tim Ferriss

Many are the desires of the first-time author. Writing is the biggest. Often new authors find it overwhelming to write and see the manuscript to the end. When they do, the next step is often forgotten. Suddenly an author becomes and an entrepreneur – one in which they didn’t anticipate. Developing the book’s brand… yikes!

It’s important to the book’s success and target audience awareness. Essentially, building an author brand is very important because a strong brand helps you stand out, attract readers, and build a loyal fanbase. Here are six (6) steps to get you started:

Build Your New Author Brand

Understand your Brand
- How do you distinguish yourself in the literary world?
Discover your Brand’s Identity
- Reflect: Who are you as an author?
- Who is your ideal Reader?
- USP: What sets you apart?
Create your author persona
- Define your writing style, tone tc
- Design consistent visual identity
- Create author Bio to showcase achievements, background, writing journey
Build your online Presence
- Create author website to showcase books and engage with Readers
- Choose social media platform where target audience hangout
Engage your Audience
- Develop content calendar
- Engage with Readers
- Connect with fellow authors
Launch Book and Grow Brand
- Create buzz and Lunch or Re-Launch your book
- Collaborate to expand
- Keep learning. Keep writing.
- Be flexible and adaptable

There you have it. What has been your experience with the writing process? Do share. We would love to hear.

If you feel overwhelmed, let’s connect.

Tips To Plan A Day trip

Sometimes you just need to getaway! To rejuvenate, chill, relax and spend some me time.

Here’s Samantha’s tips to plan that perfect Day Trip. Don’t delay. Do it soon. Life’s too short to live stressed out.

How to Plan a Day Trip

Mastering The Art Of Goal Setting In 10 Steps …

Want to succeed in the new year? Set goals! It’s a big deal because setting goals can help you get where you want to be. The 10 steps that follow make it super simple for you. Whether you’re a leader, professional or just someone who wants to grow, these steps will guide you through the strategies to set goals that really work. The aim is to help you stay motivated and focused on your path to success.

So, watch Aim High and Master the Art of Goal Setting and let’s get started on this journey to make your dreams come true!

Step 1: Clarify the Purpose

Define the Objective: What is the specific area or aspect of life where you want to set a goal? What is the purpose of this goal?

Step 2: SMART Goals

Specific: Make the goal specific, avoiding vague language. What exactly do you want to accomplish?
Measurable: Ensure the goal can be quantified in some way. How will you measure your progress and know when you’ve achieved it?
Achievable: Assess whether the goal is realistic and attainable. Is it within your reach, given your current resources and constraints?
Relevant: Does the goal align with your values, long-term objectives, and the bigger picture of your life. Is it meaningful?
Time-Bound: Set a clear timeframe or deadline for achieving the goal. When will you complete it?

Step 3: Break It Down

Break It Into Smaller Steps: Divide the larger goal into smaller, manageable tasks or milestones. What steps need to be taken to reach the goal?

Step 4: Prioritize

Prioritize Tasks: Determine the order of importance for each task. Which steps should be tackled first, and which can follow?

Step 5: Visualize Success

Create a Mental Image: Ask the individual to visualize themselves successfully achieving the goal. How will it feel? What will it look like?

Step 6: Identify Obstacles

Recognize Challenges: Reflect on potential obstacles, difficulties, or setbacks you may encounter on your journey to the goal. How can you prepare to overcome these challenges?

Step 7: Develop a Plan

Create an Action Plan: Outline the tasks, deadlines, and resources required to achieve the goal. What specific actions will you take?

Step 8: Monitor and Adjust

Regular Review: Emphasize the importance of monitoring progress regularly. How are you doing in relation to the goal? Are you on track?

Adjust and Adapt: Be flexible in adapting the plan as needed. If you encounter unexpected obstacles or need to change your approach, how will you do so?

Step 9: Accountability

Accountability Partners: Have an accountability partner, such as a coach, mentor, or friend, who can provide support and hold you responsible for your commitments.

Step 10: Celebrate Success

Acknowledge Achievements: When you reach your goal, celebrate the achievement. Do some self-reflection and recognition of your progress.

By following this step-by-step process, you can set and achieve goals that align with your values and aspirations.

Need an accountability partner to help you set your goals and stay on track? Let’s connect

Cheers!

The Writing Process…

No one is going to come rescue you—you only have yourself. The good news, it turns out, is that you are all you need.
Arnold Schwarzenegger

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER tale of reading his audiobook. Intrigued by his story. Here I share in his own words

I could tell you I am fantastic at everything, but I’d be lying.

I just finished recording my audiobook, Be Useful. It comes out October 10. I could tell you how amazing it was to sit down and record my own words, but the truth is, I was absolutely dreading it.

Here’s my secret: I’m a terrible reader. They didn’t talk about learning disabilities in Austria in the 1950s, so most of the time, when I was asked to read out loud in class, it was just a disaster, and I got smacked with a ruler. But now I know that I’m dyslexic.

When I prepare for a movie, I read the script over and over for months until I’ve memorized every line. I need time and reps to get my mind around the words.

They told me authors ready their books in 2 or 3 days at the studio. I asked for the recording equipment at home and told them I’d do 20-30 pages a day. That way I could log in with the director and producer twice a day for shorter sessions and I could practice non-stop in between.

In this process, I used my own lessons.

I let myself dread it and complain for a minute, but then I forced myself to get moving, because denial wasn’t going to get it recorded.
I did so many reps I couldn’t count. I broke it up into small pieces, knowing that small wins build up into big victories, or in this case, a whole book.
I had the help of a fantastic team. My own team, but also the producers and directors Nithya, Danny, and Kris, and Eric who set up the equipment. All of us need help; none of us are self made.

Change-Makers Ignited…

Be the Change you wish to see in the world
Mahatma Ghandi

𝐵𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒 you wish to See. That’s what I aim to be. The change to make a difference in the community. To contribute to the development of Emerging Leaders. A process that I have been involved since the program’s inception in Washington DC

Ignite CAribbean JUDGES work on 2023s 30 Under 30 Change-makers Award to be held on June 23 during Caribbean American Heritage Month Legislative week celebrations.

An NYU Student Who Studied Abroad In Florence Hated Every Aspect Of Her Semester Abroad…

three-day weekends are the standard for NYU’s study-abroad programs, almost everyone chose to take $20 Ryanair flights to places like Croatia and Munich for Oktoberfest. To me, this seemed like an exhausting form of escapism

We have always heard about college study abroad programs. Many have experienced and squealed about their tales of travel, new experiences and memories of lasting thrills. But not so for one college student. As the Insider’s article flashed across the screen, I was compelled to find it and dig deeper. I was curious to know why? Here’s an excerpt.

Since three-day weekends are the standard for NYU’s study-abroad programs, almost everyone chose to take $20 Ryanair flights to places like Croatia and Munich for Oktoberfest. To me, this seemed like an exhausting form of escapism. I was convinced my peers were doing it only to freshen up their social-media profiles and make their friends back home jealous.

I, on the other hand, wanted to travel to learn more about myself and explore ways to shape my life after graduation. Since most of my classmates were looking to go to sex shows in Amsterdam and getting wasted in Ibiza, I traveled alone. I went to Nice, France; Lugano, Switzerland; London; Malta; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. But most weekends I stayed at home in Florence.
Read more from the Insider here

Tales of her experience included:

Living with 7 people was not easy
The pressure to travel on weekends was not easy.
Italian people were hostile towards her
Her life in New York went on without her

Caused me to think how tales of dreams and travel experiences differ among people. As we experience life, it looks different from person to person. One can only imagine an essay from her roommates and what that would look like. Hmmm…

What are your thoughts? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

What is Your Biggest Fear?

Success Strategies

I love nature and always choose to live near a lake, pond or stream. What comes with that is nature’s creatures like squirrels, ducks, and my worst fear –lizards! My fear of them makes me search to find them before they sneak upon me. My imagination runs wild as I think of their creepy, crawley features that makes me real scared. Mind you, it has not happened but my fear, like Cusps, makes it real to me…yikes!

Aren’t we all afraid of something? We sure are. But what is fear? Why are we afraid?

FEAR is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

What is Your Biggest Fear as an Entrepreneur?

Daymond John asked the question of entrepreneurs “What is your biggest fear?” The answers varied but most common were:

Getting taken advantage of by…

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2023 Top Jobs On The Rise..

The only thing constant is change

Looking to change jobs? Well it’s about time. Throw out that fear and start cranking things up. If you find yourself hesitant, then stop procrastinating and face that fear head on.

Here are the Muse list of top jobs for this year. Depending on your area of interest, here are 9 that stands out. Find the full list

Growth Marketing Manager
Grants Management Dpecialist
Head of Revenue
HR Analytics Manager
Truck Driver
Content Designer
Chief People Officer
Strategy & Operations Manager
Channel Account Executive

Which stands out most to you? Any you would like to add? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Do It. It’s That Simple…

Success Strategies

“If you canimagine it,you can dream it.Dream itand you canbecome it.” - Walt Disney

For years Walt Disney’s quote…”If you can imagine it you can do it”, hung on my wall at home. I was able to see it every day. It stayed with me during all my dreams which became goals which later became reality. My studies, writings, books, and more, all became real because of my dreams.

Dreams Don’t Come Through by Themselves

But dreams don’t just come through by themselves. We have to plan, then work it. With hard work, dedication, persistence, and the will to achieve, they become real.

From a young age, my niece always wanted to do her best at making others beautiful. After graduating, she began working with a renowned makeup organization. She learnt from the best and with her innate desire for excellence, she…

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Reinvent Yourself: 10 Key Points for Success

Success Strategies

There is no such thing as a lifetime career any more. The world of work is now much more fluid than it was before. The lines have certainly been blurred. Gone are the days of jobs for life where you did your time and left with a secure Glaring pension to enjoy retirement with no Argument. You now need to take responsibility for your job security and the management of your career. Make sure you discover and use your internal resources and take a self-directing approach.

Reinventing yourself is something that you must keep doing. Dr. Robert Davies offered good advice on 10 key points to success.

Focus on your personal development. Spend some time thinking about the competencies. What are the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to survive in this era.
Always have a driving vision. Consider these 3 components:
- Have clear mental picture of the person that you…

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21 Iconic Leaders Define Success

Success Strategies

Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Prince, Beyoncé, Adele, Will, Denzel Washington, Taylor Swift, and the list goes on. Without a doubt few will argue that these individuals experienced success. Come to think of it, Michael Jackson even produced an album 5 years after his death! Now to many…that’s success! But… is it really?

Determined to find out Why Some Individuals Succeed While Others Don’t, I decided to research the topic of success. I conducted a phenomenological study, interviewed outstanding leaders in business, and other industries. I even wrote a book on Success, and published a peer reviewed article in the JAABC Business Journal about it.

So what does Success really mean to those who try so hard to get it, yet it moves further and further away as they draw near. Trying the short route some play the lotto… anticipating overnight success. Some marry rich. Some scheme, connive, and conspire…

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Let The Adventure Begin!

The ball dropped and suddenly we went from the old to the new. it’s new year’s day at universal and islands of adventure. Beehives of Chattering voices everywhere. I sit quietly People watching cultures far, near, and everywhere. Fun. Rides. Food. Smiles. Tired feet clad in running shoes, t-shirts, jeans, tights; it’s family time you can’t miss.

Lots of gleeful noise amidst the screams of the world famous hulk ride. Twists, turns, ups, downs. It’s like you’re just gonna explode. Why would people do that to themselves?! Omgeee!

There’s Spider-Man. Tired legs allowed the young ones to go do their thing. After men in black, fast n furious, I was missing nothing.

But who am I to complain after enjoying my own knee jerking skydive that only few dared to hit

It’s Started With a Bang

Yep it’s New Year’s Day and it started off with a bang with plans for a year filled with lots of fun, excitement, and thrill. All wrapped in fear of the twists and turns among the unknown. But hey, doing it anyway. You won’t know until you try, right?

Armed with goals to finish my long outstanding book series titled RedLight, I’ll getaway for a solo retreat to think, to plan, to write in a faraway land. A time of peace and quiet. It’s become personal January tradition.

You’ll also like A late January Evening by the seashore

Hope you’ll achieve dreams held dear without fear this year. Need help? Let’s connect.

Cheers